New James Street Bridge Reopens in Morris Township

NJDOT officials announced on Saturday that the newly rebuilt James Street bridge over Interstate 287 reopened to motorists in Morris Township.

“They opened it some time late (Saturday night),” said Albert Baron III, Sales Associate and Director of Internet Marketing for Central Property Realtors International.

NJDOT’s contractor, Ritacco Construction, Inc., has completed the replacement of the old structurally deficient bridge deck with a new cast-in place concrete structure.  James Street — as well as the entrance ramps from James Street to both directions of I-287 — have been closed to traffic since August 2012 to allow for this deck replacement work.  NJDOT maintained all travel lanes on Interstate 287 in each direction below the overpass during peak period hours, utilizing traffic shifts.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1968 and had deteriorated to the point that a full deck replacement was necessary.  

The contractor is also completing some approach roadway work along James Street including asphalt paving, curb reconstruction and guide rail upgrades.  The $2.25 million project is expected to be fully complete in May 2013.